Neil Hughes
iOS 9 is off to a blockbuster start, with more than 50 percent of all iPhone, iPad and iPod touch units already running the latest mobile operating system, making it the fastest adoption in Apple history.
iOS 9 is already on pace to be downloaded by more users than any other software release in Apple's history, marketing chief Phil Schiller said in a press release. The company's figures are based on access to the App Store as of Saturday, Sept. 19.
Apple's official numbers are even better than outside estimates, which pegged adoption at 36 percent. In contrast, Google currently reports that only 21 percent of active Android users have obtained some version of Android 5.0 Lollipop since it first became available nearly a year ago.
iOS 9 became available to download last Wednesday. The free update includes more advanced iPad multitasking, a News app, search and Siri enhancements, and under-the-hood improvements like better battery life and a smaller download size.
iOS 9 can be downloaded free via iTunes or as an over-the-air update through the Software Update function in iOS's Settings app. People must have at least an iPhone 4s, iPad 2, or fifth-generation iPod touch.
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
45 Comments
A couple of caveats 1)Apple have given themselves an additional week of pre-orders to give in the numbers when they do release them, compared with all other recent releases. "Most pre-orders in history" or 'X million in the hands of customers on day 1" 2) iOS 9 %u2013 Phil S doesn%u2019t say it%u2019s the fastest adoption. He says it is on course to become the most adopted. Somewhat subtle difference. Also, and he basically says just this - Most adopted doesn%u2019t necessarily mean a % of adoption win, it is numerical %u2013 absolute numbers of iPhone/iPads which, obviously, and especially as iOS 9 goes back to iPhone 4s and old pads, are growing. As people like Rene Richie love to go on about : "context". Phil is a pro - probably one of the world's best - at marketing. They fudge things like this when it suits them and to make things look best. It's his job. And nobody can blame them.
I like all the subtle enhancements. It feels nicely "at home" on my iPhone 6 . Can't wait to use it with 3D Touch on my 6s !
This is great news, and I like iOS 9 a lot. I assume many apps need to be updated to be compatible in minor ways? Example: I used the Overdrive app to listen to audiobooks. In the past, on my Apple Watch I could use the "Now Playing" screen to see -- and pause -- the audiobook. After upgrading my iPhone to iOS 9, the Overdrive audiobooks no longer appear on the Watch "Now Playing" screen. Possibly iOS 9 changed some API that Overdrive used to make its content visible to Now Playing? Not sure... but no doubt we'll see a wave of app updates over the next few weeks to leverage iOS 9 capabilities.
Who'd have thought that ad blocking would be such a huge feature. I wonder what the uptake rate for this new feature is.
This is great news, and I like iOS 9 a lot.
I assume many apps need to be updated to be compatible in minor ways? Example: I used the Overdrive app to listen to audiobooks. In the past, on my Apple Watch I could use the "Now Playing" screen to see -- and pause -- the audiobook. After upgrading my iPhone to iOS 9, the Overdrive audiobooks no longer appear on the Watch "Now Playing" screen. Possibly iOS 9 changed some API that Overdrive used to make its content visible to Now Playing? Not sure... but no doubt we'll see a wave of app updates over the next few weeks to leverage iOS 9 capabilities.
Shortly after I updated to 9 I got a list of over 20 app updates.